By Alfredo Echenique Lugo
Aug 30, 2024, 6:00 PM EDT
The last Copa América 2024 witnessed the retirement of a historic player like Ángel Di María from the Argentina national team. He also put the finishing touch to his career with the Albiceleste by winning the title of champion of America for the second time.
The 36-year-old left-footer will not wear the blue and white again, but he renewed his contract with Benfica of Portugal for another year. This will mark his 18th season in European football, during which he has played for top clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus.
Recently in an interview in SportsCenter The Argentine reviewed a little of his long and successful career and was totally direct and forceful with one question in particular. During the chat he was asked about the coaches he has had and Di María named the Dutchman Louis Van Gaal as the worst coach he ever played with.
“The worst was Van Gaal. I can assure you of that,” said the man from Rosario bluntly and directly during the talk about the coaches he has played with throughout his almost 20-year career.
Di María and Van Gaal were at Manchester United together in the 2014/2015 season after the Argentine arrived via transfer from Real Madrid for $83 million dollars.
The Argentine striker only lasted one year at Old Trafford under Van Gaal. The Dutch coach has expressed his dislike of South American players, which is why he did not get on well with Di María during his time in Manchester.
Di María also named his best coaches
On the other side of the coin, Ángel Di María was also asked about the best coaches he has had in his long career. And although the Argentine commented that it is difficult to name one as the best, he mentioned some names from whom he believes he learned great things as a footballer.
“Scaloni, without a doubt,” was the first name that Di María mentioned. He was the coach who led him to become a world champion with Argentina. “He is a great coach in every sense. Because of the coaching staff he has, the connection he has with the players and how he plans the matches. He is perfect,” concluded “Fideo.”
“Afterwards, Alejandro Sabella was a coach who had a huge impact on me, I learned a lot from him,” said Di María, who also named two coaches from his time at Real Madrid.
“Mourinho and Ancelotti also taught me a lot. I have been through so many coaches that it is difficult to choose just one,” concluded the Benfica player.
Continue reading:
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